Dear Executive Board, University Council, Deans, and fellow members of the UT community,
We are concerned students, staff members and alumni at the University of Twente writing to you about our University’s complicity in Israel’s ongoing 77-year occupation, apartheid regime and genocide [1] in Palestine. In the past 25 months, at least 69,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 170,000 have been injured as a result of a genocide conducted by Israel [2]. While these reports rely on confirmed numbers, some estimate the total death toll to be as high as 680,000 [3].
The Shaping2030 [4] strategy describes University of Twente as the ultimate people-first institution, claiming empowering society as a core part of its mission. The UT’s Code of Ethics [5] and Dutch research-integrity standards [6] show commitment to acting with care, transparency, and responsibility. Yet, in spite of those claims, our University has ties with many universities, companies and other institutions, both inside and outside of Israel, that through their operations enable Israeli apartheid, occupation of Palestine, and mass killings of Palestinians. A non-exhaustive list of these ties can be found in the Appendix. Due to these ties our university was recently added to a blacklist by The Rights Forum for “directly or indirectly contributing to the illegal Israeli occupation and colonisation of occupied Palestinian territory - and benefitting from it.” [7] We believe that the intention of positively impacting the world in a fair and sustainable way is not aligned with such partnerships and that all institutions, including our University, should make efforts to pressure complicit organisations that facilitate the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.
We ask the Executive Board to ensure that the University of Twente does not contribute (directly or indirectly) to human-right violations through its partnerships, projects and investments. While a statement released in July, 2025 [8] promises to evaluate new collaboration opportunities with attention to protection of human rights, no action was taken to terminate pre-existing ties with organisations complicit in the Israel’s genocide of Palestinians. Additionally, ties with certain organisations complicit in the genocide, that are not based in Israel, are not considered by the new evaluation. Therefore with this open letter, we once again call the University of Twente to act transparently and take meaningful steps to boycott institutions that continue fueling the genocide.
Our Requests
1) Create a public Transparency Registry
Publish a searchable, regularly updated registry of all ties (investments/endowments, Memorandums of Understanding, research and education projects, exchanges, sponsorships) with:
(a) Israeli state bodies and institutions;
(b) any entity credibly linked to human-rights violations in the occupied Palestinian territory;
(c) including related weapons manufacturers and their subsidiaries.
Each entry should list the partner, funder, project title, start and end dates, UT owner/contact, and a short purpose statement. Review each partnership with entities linked to human-rights risks in the occupied Palestinian territory according to a publicly available policy text.
2) Publish and Follow a UT-wide position on Humanitarian and International Law
Publish a clear UT position based on humanitarian values and international law on Israel’s actions in Palestine. This should include a clear university-wide policy on collaborations with entities mentioned in (request 1) that ensures civilian benefit, human-rights compliance, and academic integrity. Following this, the Executive Board should work to actively encourage democratic dialogue on humanitarian issues on campus.
3) Cease New Collaborations & Adopt Case-by-Case Review Process of Current Ones
Publish an implementation protocol that applies the precautionary principle to new ties with the aforementioned bodies (including screening criteria). In the transparency registry, list all ongoing reviews with expected decision dates. Review existing ties case-by-case against that framework within six months, then publish outcomes (continue, modify, or cut, with an enforceable timeline). Dutch sector precedents show this is feasible: Utrecht University and the University of Amsterdam both paused new collaborations while developing guidance [9,10].
4) Publish a Responsible Investment & Divestment Policy
Publish the UT/Twente Fund investment policies, governance processes, and an exclusion/stewardship list aligned with the UT’s stated position (request 2). Where holdings fail human rights due diligence, commit to engage-or-exit with public logs of decisions.
Given the independence of the Twente University Fund, UT should formally request the Fund’s board to (i) publish its policy and exclusion list, (ii) disclose high-level holdings by sector, and (iii) report engage-or-exit outcomes annually; the Executive Board should co-publish a joint progress note [11].
5) Direct support for Palestinian scholars and students
Provide explicit support for scholars and students from Palestine (especially those from Gaza), including but not limited to emergency fellowships, tuition waivers, and fee-free visiting positions. Maastricht University’s recent scholarships for five students from Gaza show a practical model the sector can build on [12].
What this letter is, and is not
• It is a call to align UT’s institutional actions with its own mission and with international standards of responsible conduct.
• It is not a restriction on individual scholars’ freedom to think, teach, and collaborate; subject to the same integrity and due-diligence rules that apply across the university.
We believe this approach is principled, practical, and unifying. It centers transparency, due diligence, and care for people, the very things UT says it stands for. We invite all members of our community, across different perspectives, to join us in signing this letter and asking UT to take these measured, values-consistent steps.
We are firm and unyielding in our demands, but open to sincere, public discussion and dialogue. However, the severity and continuation of apartheid, occupation and genocide in Palestine call for urgent and concrete action. Thus we ask the Executive Board to issue a public response by February 3rd, 2026 and to table these proposals for discussion with the University Council.
With respect,
Students, staff members, and alumni of the University of Twente
Appendix: Non exhaustive list of active ties between the UT and Israel.
Technion University: The Technion University, situated in Haifa, is a partner institute of the UT [14,15]. Together with the Weizmann institute, also situated in Haifa, this university forms the military-scientific centre of Israël. Rafael and Israeli Aerospace Industries were established out of its infrastructure. Technion was a part of the development of the remote controlled Caterpillar D9 bulldozer, which is used to demolish Palestinian houses and has seen extensive usage within Gaza [13].
Tel Aviv University: The UT is currently involved with 2 Horizon Europe projects that include Tel Aviv University [16,17]. This university collaborates with the Israeli state and military industry in the development of technology used by the IDF. Additionally the Tel Aviv University’s Institute for National Security Studies is Israel’s leading national security think tank, this think tank focuses its efforts on defending the IDF’s operations and combatting the BDS movement, among other movements critical of Israel [13].
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev: The UT is currently involved with 1 Horizon Europe project that includes the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. [18] This university was founded to populate the ethnically cleansed Naqab desert, also known as Negev, with Israeli jews. For this purpose it has promoted exclusively jewish settlements in the region.The Ben-Gurion University of the Negev has extensive ties with the Israeli military, most notoriously unit 8200 of the IDF’s intelligence corps [13].
Bar-Ilan University: The UT is currently involved with 1 Horizon Europe project that includes the Bar-Ilan University [19]. This university in the Tel Aviv area has contributed to the expansion and legitimizing of illegal settlements on the occupied West Bank. It also participates in ethnically cleansing Palestinian towns through ‘archeological’ excavations, some of which take place in the occupied West Bank [13].
Thales: The UT has extensive ties with Thales, specifically the Hengelo based Dutch branch of the French arms manufacturer, Thales Nederland, which is the biggest weapons manufacturer of the Netherlands. The UT is currently involved with 5 Horizon Europe projects with Thales [20,21,22,23,24]. Additionally the UT entered into a multi-year collaboration agreement with Thales Group in 2020 [25,26]. Thales is also a major sponsor of career fairs, study associations and other programmes and activities at the UT. Thales has ties with many Israeli weapons manufacturers, it supplies parts for Elbit Systems their Hermes 900 drones, which have been extensively used to bomb Gaza. It is also involved with Rafael’s Gill anti-tank rockets and has even acquired multiple Israeli companies during the genocide. Thales Nederland produces parts for the Israeli F-35 fleet, these parts have allowed Israel to bomb Gaza as well as other places like Lebanon [13,27].
Airbus: The UT is currently involved with 3 Horizon Europe projects that include Airbus [24,28,29]. This aircraft manufacturer supplies helicopters, the AS565 Panther, to the IDF. These are used to patrol the coast of Gaza. Airbus also collaborates with Israeli Aerospace Industries and Elbit Systems which are some of Israel’s largest weapons manufacturers [13].
Boeing: American weapons manufacturer Boeing is a founder and tier 1 partner in the Kennispark based Thermoplastics Composites Research Center (TPRC) in which the UT is also a founder and tier 1 partner [30,31]. Boeing is one of the main beneficiaries of the genocide, since October 2023 it has sold up to $26.7 billion in arms to Israël [32].
Fokker Aerostructures: Dutch weapons manufacturer Fokker Aerostructures is a founder and tier 1 partner in the TPRC, as are the UT and Boeing [30,31]. Fokker produces, like Thales Nederland, parts for the Israeli F-35 fleet [13].
Safran: French defence company Safran is a tier 1 partner in the TPRC, the UT is a founder and tier 1 member of this research institute [30,31]. Safran partnered with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems to produce a proprietary battlefield targeting system. Additionally Safran has supplied surveillance equipment to Israel for use in the occupied West Bank, this equipment is used for what Amnesty International has called “automated apartheid” [33]. Beyond this Safran supplies Israel with weapon components[34].
Spirit Aerosystems: American Aerospace company Spirit Aerosystems is a tier 1 partner in the TPRC, the UT is a founder and tier 1 member of this research institute [30,31]. Spirit produces and assembles the cockpit, cabin and fuselage for the CH-53K King Stallion helicopters used by Israel to support special operations [35,36]. The company also works with Israeli Aerospace Industries in co-developing and producing parts of the Bell Helicopter V-280 [35,37].
Syensqo: Belgian composite materials manufacturer Syensqo is a tier 1 partner in the TPRC, the UT is a founder and tier 1 member of this research institute [30, 31]. The company manufactures components for the Israeli Hermes 450 drones from Elbit Systems, this drone model was used to target 7 aid workers from World Central Kitchen in February of 2025 [38].
Rafael: Israeli weapons manufacturer Rafael is a tier 2 partner in the TPRC, the UT is a founder and tier 1 member of this research institute [30,31]. Rafael Advanced Defence Systems is one of Israel’s main weapons manufacturers, responsible for large parts of the Iron Dome defence system and protective systems for the IDF’s Merkava tanks among many other weapons used by the IDF in Gaza [39].
Ministry of Health (Israel): The UT is currently involved in 1 Horizon Europe project that includes the Israeli Ministry of Health [19].This branch of the Israeli government has been repeatedly accused by Physicians for Human Rights-Israel of failing in their duty to ensure equal, adequate, and ethical medical care to all incarcerated individuals. Detained Palestinian are systematically deprived of the medical care they need and deserve [40].
Municipality of Jerusalem: The UT is currently involved in 1 Horizon Europe project that includes the municipality of Jerusalem [16]. The municipality includes East Jerusalem, which is internationally recognized as part of the occupied Palestinian territories. According to Human Rights Watch, the municipality envisions “maintaining a solid Jewish majority in the city”. Beyond this target the municipality facilitates the expropriation of Palestinian homes and the establishment and expansion of illegal settlements in East Jerusalem [41].
Applied Materials Israel: The UT is currently involved in 3 Horizon Europe projects that include Applied Materials Israel [42,43,44]. This company is the Israeli branch of a US semiconductor and display equipment company. It is involved in developing AI technology for military purposes [13]. A spokesperson of the UT told Follow The Money that two of these projects, 14ACMOS and 10ACE, are strictly dual-use as they involve chip technology [45].
Bruker Technologies: The UT is currently involved in 3 Horizon Europe projects that include Bruker Technologies [42,43,44]. This is the Israeli branch of a US manufacturer of scientific instruments [13]. Bruker Technologies is involved in the same projects as Applied Materials Israel.
KLA-Tencor (KLA Israel): The UT is currently involved in 3 Horizon Europe projects that include KLA-Tencor [42,43,44]. The Israeli branch of the American KLA Corporation, it is active in the semiconductor industry as well as other related nanoelectronics industries. It is involved in the same projects as Applied Materials Israel.
Nova: The UT is currently involved in 3 Horizon Europe projects that include Nova [42,43,44]. Nova is an Israeli manufacturer of parts necessary for the production of semiconductors and involved in the same projects as Applied Materials Israel.
Carl Zeiss Sms: The UT is currently involved in 1 Horizon Europe project that includes Carl Zeiss Sms [44]. This is the Israeli branch of German semiconductor manufacturer Zeiss. It is involved in the aforementioned 10ACE project.
KI Research Institute RA: The UT is currently involved in 1 Horizon Europe project that includes the KI Research Institute RA [18]. This Israeli institute focuses on the development of advanced computational tools to generate new insights from complex medical datasets and health records [13].
Philips Medical Systems Technology (Israel): The UT is currently involved in 1 Horizon Europe project that includes Philips Medical Systems Technology (Israel) [46]. The Israel branch of Dutch company Philips, it produces medical equipment [13].
Siemens Electronic Design Automation: The UT is currently involved in 1 Horizon Europe project that includes Siemens Electronic Design Automation [20]. Israeli subsidiary of the German Siemens AG. Siemens has supplied train cars for routes that cross into the occupied West Bank and an Israeli transportation project aimed exclusively for Israelis [47].
Sigma 6: The UT is currently involved in 1 Horizon Europe project that includes Sigma 6 [19]. Sigma 6 is an Israeli machine-parts manufacturer [13].
Phix: The UT has a 9% stake in the Dutch chip manufacturer Phix. This company is a part of 4 Horizon Europe projects with Israeli partners that concern dual-use research. One of these projects aims to develop radar and vehicle autonomy together with the Israeli branch of Nvidia and Israeli drone manufacturer Nanomotion [48]
References
[1] Israel has committed genocide in the Gaza Strip, UN Commission finds | OHCHR
[2] aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/18/gaza-tracker...
[3] arena.org.au/politics-of-counting-gazas-dead/... 680.000 death toll source
[4] utwente.nl/en/organisation/about/shaping2030/...
[5] utwente.nl/en/service-portal/services/hr/resources... ethics-english.pdf
[6] nwo.nl/en/netherlands-code-conduct-research-integr...
[7] https://stopdebezetting.org/zwartelijst/
[8] utwente.nl/en/news/2025/7/467122/ut-will-only-ente... that-contribute-to-peace-and-the-protection-of-human-rights
[9] uu.nl/en/news/utrecht-university-will-not-enter-in... organizations-until
[10] uva.nl/shared-content/uva/en/news/news/2024/05/our... organisations.html
[11] utwente.nl/en/universityfoundation/about-us/...
[12] maastrichtuniversity.nl/news/um-scholarships-5-gaz...
[13] https://academiccomplicity.nl/
[14] https://www.cesaer.org/members/
[15] membership.iie.org/files/Global%20E3%20Consortium%...
[16] https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101103646
[17] https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101073558
[18] https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101057385
[19] https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101156595
[20] https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101095947
[21] https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101072881
[22] https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101119806
[23] https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101169295
[24] https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101168880
[25] connect.thalesgroup.com/en/news/universiteit-twent...
[26] utwente.nl/nieuws/2020/9/794218/universiteit-twent...
[27] https://www.nietmijnaanslag.nl/maersk-thales
[28] https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101102001
[29] https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101169365
[30] https://tprc.nl/partners/
[31] kennispark.nl/nl/services/thermoplastic-composites...
[32] readsludge.com/2025/10/13/boeings-arms-sales-thriv...
[33] canadiandimension.com/articles/view/direct-action-...
[34] aa.com.tr/en/europe/activists-protest-french-compa...
[35] spiritaero.com/programs/defense/defense-programs/...
[36] navair.navy.mil/news/Israel-purchase-CH-53K-King-S...
[37] iai.co.il/iai-providing-nacelle-and-seating-system...
[38] vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2025/02/05/bedrijf-gaza-belgie-sy...
[39] https://www.rafael.co.il/
[40] ordomedic.be/nl/nieuws/call-for-intervention-follo...
[41] hrw.org/report/2021/04/27/threshold-crossed/israel...
[42] https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101096772
[43] https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101111948
[44] https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101139972
[46] https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101112053